Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm ($8.99 for 0.095 oz.) is a brightened, medium red with light, warm undertones and a soft sheen. Tom Ford Beauty Rouge Fatal (LE, $49.00) and Marc Jacobs Beauty Showstopper (134) (P, $30.00) are darker, slightly browner. Anna Sui Minnie Mouse (01) (LE) is very similar. MAC Night to Remember (LE, $15.00) is a touch warmer. MAC Must Be Red (LE, $15.00) is very similar. See comparison swatches.

This is the third shade I picked up from the ColorBurst Lacquer Balm line (you can see the first two reviewed here), and I’m definitely going to see if there are more available at my local store. The formula is permanent, but sometimes the initial display gets ravaged, and it takes a few weeks for permanent displays to be updated. Cross your fingers for me Provocateur was mostly opaque; there was a hint of translucency but still quite pigmented. The consistency was lightweight, lightly creamy, somewhat balm-like (not quite as emollient), and this shade wore well for almost five hours and was lightly hydrating during that time.

Revlon Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm

Revlon Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm

Revlon Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm

Revlon Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm

Revlon Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm

Revlon Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm

Revlon Provocateur (135) ColorBurst Lacquer Balm
(Clarins The Essentials Palette on eyes)